Magnolia acquires ‘Ganja’ documentary

'Cocaine Cowboys' filmmakers behind 'Square Grouper'

Magnolia Pictures has snagged world rights to “Square Grouper: The Godfathers of Ganja,” the latest docu from the filmmakers behind “Cocaine Cowboys” and “The U.”

“Square Grouper,” getting its world preem next month at SXSW, centers on the pot-smuggling culture in Florida in the 1970s, including smuggler communities Black Tuna Gang, Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church and Everglades City.

Title of the film comes from the nickname for bales of marijuana mistakenly caught by Florida fisherman.

“Square Grouper” distribution deal is the first to come from a first-look pact between Rakontur and Magnolia, which also released “Cocaine Cowboy.” Deal was negotiated by Magnolia’s Tom Quinn with Spellman.

Release sked for “Square Grouper” includes a 40-city tour of college campuses in conjunction with a speaking tour, as well as a screening at the High Times Medicinal Cannabis Cup in Denver April 1. DVD launch is set for April 19.